Molineux architect gives thumbs up to matchstick model of Wolves ground

Alan Cotterell worked closely with the club’s former president, Sir Jack Hayward, on the ground’s renovation.

He was so impressed with Chris Jepson’s recreation of the old stadium he met him in person to offer his congratulations.

WATCH: Find out how the Molineux model was made

Alan said: “The model is excellent. If I commissioned a professional model maker it wouldn’t be as good as this one.

“Its artistic flair captures the atmosphere of the ground.”

Mr Jepson, who wants to sell the model to raise money for charity, is in talks with Wolves to place the it in the club’s museum at Molineux.

Mr Cotterell, who was born in the city but now lives in Perton, has been involved with Wolves since the 1950s.

He said: “I got the planning approval for the lights, which were installed in 1953. They were the first in the country.”

He also recalled the day he actually climbed to the top of the structure.

“That was quite a scary experience,” he said. “I climbed up with a clipboard in my mouth - health and safety didn’t exist back then.”

Mr Cotterell added: “I looked down through my feet and I could see Waterloo Road below me with all the cars going by.

“I thought ‘Crikey I need to get down’ but first I had to check the lights. I can still see it now – it was quite a view.”

Through his work with the club, Alan built up close relationships with several high-profile Molineux officials.

It was Sir Jack who approved Alan’s plans for the stadium while holidaying in the Caribbean.

“Every time I came over me and Sir Jack would go into the office and have a chat,” Alan said.

“He was a lovely guy, he had absolute integrity. Sir Jack got involved in the design. One of his requests was that the stadium should have a facility for the local community to use.”

Mr Cotterell continued: “Billy Wright, he was great.

“I remember talking to him about what they pay players and he said ‘I used to come on the bus’.

“He said the way football is going it’s going to ruin it and change the face of the game altogether.”

Mr Cotterell also fondly remembered the time Her Majesty visited Molineux.

“When we opened the stadium the Queen was there,” he said.

“We were supposed to go on the pitch to officially open the stadium but things were running late, so Sir Jack went to see what had gone wrong..

“I was left to look after her for about 20 minutes. I wasn’t used to talking to royalty.

“She was marvellous, we talked about the stadium. She was so easy to talk to and I was very relieved.”